Astrophotography includes images of celestial bodies such as the Moon, planets, stars, and galaxies. It requires technical knowledge such as long exposures, high ISO settings, and often motorized tracking. For beginners, a tripod and wide-angle lens are enough to photograph impressive starry skies. Dark locations and clear nights are essential.
Category: Photography Basics > 7. Genres & Subjects Article ID: 7.8 Created: May 2026
The essentials at a glance
- Astrophotography shows celestial bodies and outer space – from images of the Moon to distant galaxies
- Technically very demanding: long exposures, high ISO, and often motorized tracking are required
- For getting started, a tripod and wide-angle lens are enough for impressive starry-sky photos
Explanation
What is astrophotography?
Astrophotography includes all images of objects outside Earth – the Moon, planets, stars, galaxies, and nebulae. It is a specialized field at the intersection of photography and astronomy.
Typical subjects:
- Moon (an easy starting point, also with a telephoto lens)
- Starry sky / Milky Way (wide-angle lens, dark locations required)
- Planets (long telephoto lens or telescope)
- Star trails (very long exposure, 20–60 min)
- Galaxies and nebulae (telescope + tracking)
Technical characteristics
Low light: Stars and planets are very far away and emit little light → very high ISO settings (3200–12800) and a wide aperture are necessary.
Earth’s rotation: During long exposures, stars move due to Earth’s rotation → streaks instead of points. Star trails become visible at around 15–30 seconds (depending on focal length and the direction of the sky).
Rule of thumb, the “500 Rule”: Maximum exposure time for pinpoint stars (in seconds) = 500 ÷ focal length (35mm equivalent). With a 24mm wide-angle lens, this means a maximum of approximately 20 seconds.
Motorized tracking: For planets, galaxies, and nebulae, you need a motorized mount that compensates for Earth’s rotation – this keeps subjects sharp during long exposures.
Darkness: Light pollution in cities makes the starry sky barely visible. To photograph the Milky Way, you need dark locations (in the countryside, at least 50 km from a major city).
Getting started with astrophotography
| Level | Equipment | Possible subjects |
|---|---|---|
| Beginner | Camera + tripod + wide-angle lens | Starry sky, Milky Way, moonrises |
| Advanced | + telephoto lens (300–600 mm) | Moon, planets |
| Professional | + telescope + tracking | Galaxies, nebulae, deep-sky objects |
Practical tip
For your first starry sky: new moon phase (no moonlight to interfere), clear night, and a dark location outside the city. Put the camera on a tripod, use a wide-angle lens (16–24 mm), an aperture of f/2.8, ISO 3200, and a 20-second exposure. The first strip of the Milky Way is guaranteed to be impressive – even without expensive specialized equipment.